Southern District sides with New York City in 'Operation Padlock to Protect' lawsuit

Court documents show the shop owners claim the closing down of businesses is illegal and unconstitutional.

Marissa Santorelli

Mar 24, 2025, 10:55 AM

Updated yesterday

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The Southern District of New York is siding with New York City in a lawsuit brought forward by 27 businesses that were shut down and unable to operate, according to a Friday ruling.
Court documents show the shop owners claim the closing down of businesses is illegal and unconstitutional. Since May, the city has shutdown 1,350 shops and seized more than $92 million in cannabis sales.
The ruling is a big win for the city, who responded saying:"We are glad to hear that the court upheld what we’ve know all along - New York City’s process to shutdown illegal smoke shops — which threaten New Yorkers’ health, safety, and quality of life — is lawful. Since last spring, the Adams administration has closed over 1,350 illegal smoke shops and seized over $92 million in products. We remain committed to closing down illegal smoke shops, supporting the growth of the legal cannabis industry, and protecting public safety."
All 27 shops will remain sealed and shut.